Reformed Presbyterian Minutes of Synod 1997 - Rparchives.org

48 MINUTES OF THE 1997 SYNOD OF THE
Synod took a fifteen-minute break at 10:30 a.m.
Synod returned for business and sang Psalm 84B.
The Order of the Day, the report of the Geneva College Board of
Corporators, was taken up. Items 1-3 were adopted. In keeping with
item 2, Dr. John H. White, President of Geneva College, addressed the
court. The report as a whole was approved and is as follows:
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE BOARD OF CORPORATORS
The Board of Corporators wishes to acknowledge God's faithful care and
direction to Geneva College. We rejoice in His continuing blessings in the life of all
who are involved in helping Geneva to fulfill its mission.
The Board met for its regular meeting on July 12, 1997 at William Jewell
College in Liberty, MO. Dr. John H. White, President of the college, presented a
report on aaivities and encouragements in the life of the college. He expressed
the excitement of the college community in the anticipation of the
sesquicentennial, and noted several "snapshots" of where the college finds itself at
the present, including. . .
1) External evidence that we are fulfilling our mission. In student surveys, the
spiritual area routinely receives the highest level of response.
2) Enrollment. General enrollment in 1994 was 1,341. In 1997, general
enrollment is 1,546.
3) Academics. The average SAT scores have increased by 70 points.
4) Budgets. The administration is confident that the college will balance its
budget and have a substantial surplus for the third straight year.
5) Major overhaul in the Business Office (positive developments with regard to
the ownership of Geneva's Mission Statement).
6) Physical refurbishing of the campus.
7) Faculty recruitment. Ph.D. rate continues to increase. Faculty solidly
committed to Foundational Concepts of Christian Education.
8) In February, 1997, work began on a new academic building with the goal of
this building being ready by January, 1998.
Lynn Buzzard and Brad Jacob were introduced and addressed the Corporators
with regard to the developing vision for a School of Law at Geneva. A helpful
exchange with members of the Board followed.
The celebration of Geneva's Sesquicentennial has begun. Dr. White expressed
that the college would like the Corporators to take some leadership with regard to
having a commemorative event in connection with the celebration. The Board of
Corporators requests the Business of Synod Committee to set aside some time at
the 1998 meeting of Synod to commemorate Geneva College's sesquicentennial.
The Corporators discussed at length approaches to continue working together
with the Trustees and administration in increasing the commitment of Trustees and
Corporators to confessionally Reformed Christianity, rooted in the Westminster
Standards and the Testimony of the RPCNA.